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Girlfriends in God - Sept. 11, 2006

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 35, 38-39 NIV).

Friend to Friend

It was the first anniversary of the terrorist bombing of September 11, 2001. The rubble from the World Trade Centers had been cleared and the Pentagon repaired, but men and women all across American still mourned the 3,000 lives that were lost on that dark day. In my hometown, a memorial was set up on an expanse of land with a sea of twelve inch white crosses representing the men and women who died.

Kathy and her family went to see the memorial. Along with her seventeen-year-old daughter, Heather, Kathy took along her three-year-old niece, Taylor. It was difficult for young Taylor to understand exactly what was going on and why so many people were sad, but she obediently walked hand-in-hand with her cousin between the tiny crosses. At some point, little Taylor wandered away from her family.

It was reverently silent as the crowd of mourners looked at the names inscribed on the white memorials. Some crosses were decorated with flowers, others with Teddy Bears or other memorabilia. But nothing spoke more poignantly than the silence broken by quiet sobs. Then, as if coming directly from heaven, a small voice could be heard floating on the breeze. Everyone turned to notice a little girl with outstretched arms twirling in circles among the crosses.

Time seemed to stand still as hundreds of mourners turned their attention on one small girl with a big message. Even in the midst of pain, even with the loss of life, loss of dreams and loss of hope… Jesus still loves us. That love can lift the burden of despair, resurrect our dreams, and restore our hope.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 Paul reminds us: “For God said, "Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Jesus loves me…this I know.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, today we remember all the men and women who died in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. We remember their families and pray that You will be their comfort and their peace. We also think of the difficulties in our own lives. Thank you that no matter what our outward circumstances may be, the fact that Jesus loves me will never be shattered or shaken. You, O LORD, are the constant in my life and You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now it's Your Turn

When is a time in your life that you have felt overcome with the gravity of a difficult situation?

How did God’s unchanging, unfailing love give you comfort?

Perhaps you are in the middle of such a situation at this very moment. Are you willing, as the little girl in this story, to open your arms to God and sing… Jesus loves me this I know? Why don’t you stop right now and sing that chorus to God.

More from the Girls

Girlfriends! What would we do without them? Girlfriends in God is a non-denominational ministry that crosses generational and racial boundaries to bring the body of Christ together as believers Just as God sent Ruth to Naomi and Mary to Elizabeth, God continues to use women to encourage and equip other women in their spiritual journey. The purpose of G.i.G. is simply this: “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). That’s it! We want to do life together, friend. Join us for the Journey!